Key skills and expertise

With 13 years of experience in finance and agriculture, the expert has honed skills in financial analysis, project finance, and strategic planning. Previously held roles include Vice President of Finance at Hydro Nova Uganda, where responsibilities included facilitating a $325 million debt and equity raise. Career highlights include the successful implementation of ERP systems and the development of investment strategies, such as a gender lens strategy for a $20M fund. Additionally, the expert has consulted on international projects, designing financial models and increasing smallholder farmer incomes by 15% through strategic pricing initiatives.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving international development NGO TechnoServe, promoting business solutions to poverty. The expert developed a deal pipeline for a $30M fund supporting smallholder-inclusive agribusinesses in Africa, assessing 110 SMEs. Additionally, partnerships with governments across Southeast Africa were formed to promote warehouse receipt systems and market information systems facilitating soy trade. The work primarily focused on agriculture, economic development, and capacity building in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sectors and geographic focus

Background includes positions in finance, accounting, and agriculture sectors, with leadership roles such as Vice President of Finance and consultant positions. The expert possesses expertise in project finance, strategic planning, and financial modeling, with a focus on sustainable development and agribusiness. Cross-cutting expertise includes digital payment solutions for agribusinesses and infrastructure development in rural areas. The geographic scope of work includes Sub-Saharan Africa, the Philippines, and South America, where the expert has engaged in regional and country-specific projects. Extensive geographic experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Uganda, and work in the Philippines, Chilean Patagonia, and Southeast Africa have involved collaboration with local governments and SMEs, focusing on regional development issues and economic growth.

Languages and education

Bringing a background in languages, the expert is fluent in English and Spanish, with elementary proficiency in Swedish. These language skills have been applied in various professional contexts, including international development projects and collaborations with multilingual teams across different countries. Educational qualifications include a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, USA, graduating with honors. The expert participated in an MBA exchange program at London Business School, UK, focusing on project finance and entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Additionally, a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Economics was earned from Harvard University, USA.